Environmental Engineering Graduate Programme
What will you do on the programme?
As a Graduate Environmental Engineer, you’ll play a vital role in protecting the planet while ensuring public safety. Whether it’s managing radioactive and hazardous materials or minimising the environmental impact of large-scale defence operations, your work will contribute to meaningful, lasting change.
You’ll be exposed to a wide variety of projects. These could include supporting large-scale programmes with multidisciplinary teams or working on focused consultancy projects where you engage directly with customers. Each project will offer different environmental challenges and approaches, helping you build a broad and practical understanding of the field.
Your day-to-day work might involve developing waste characterisation strategies, supporting feasibility studies for new treatment facilities, or delivering practical environmental solutions in collaboration with clients. You could also contribute to the design and management of systems and assets with a focus on sustainability, including environmental impact assessments, case reports, and safe disposal planning.
Whatever the task, you’ll grow in skills and confidence as you help to shape solutions that protect people and the planet for generations to come.
How is the programme structured?
Over two years, you’ll rotate through placements every three to six months, giving you the chance to explore a variety of projects and teams. These rotations offer opportunities to broaden your experience – and some may even take you to different locations – helping you build your professional network and deepen your understanding of how the business operates.
By the end of the programme, you’ll have built a strong foundation of experience, developed valuable professional relationships, and gained the skills and confidence to take the next step in your career with us.
How do we develop and support you?
From day one, you’ll receive structured support, personalised training, and dedicated mentorship to help you excel throughout your programme and beyond.
You’ll join our Graduate Development Programme, featuring expert-led masterclasses on communication, personal branding, resilience, and wellbeing.
To support your journey toward Chartered or Incorporated Engineer status, we offer full guidance and cover all associated fees.
What rewards and benefits will you get?
We want you to feel supported, valued and excited about what’s ahead. That’s why we offer a comprehensive package designed to support your development, your wellbeing and your life outside of work too.
In addition to a minimum starting salary of £35,000, you’ll benefit from:
* A minimum of 25 days of holiday plus bank holidays, with agile working options subject to discussion with your manager
* Generous pension and employee share schemes
* Flexible benefits, including cycle to work scheme, discounts
* Wellbeing support, covering mental, physical, financial, and social wellbeing, with services like our Employee Assistance Programme, digital GP service, and health checks.
You’ll also have the chance to get involved in our STEM outreach activities and volunteering opportunities.
What do you need to apply?
* A BEng (Hons) or BSc in Environmental Engineering, Sciences or Studies or Chemistry, Chemical and Nuclear or Natural Sciences.
* Many of our graduate programmes are subject to Security Clearance and Trade Control restrictions which mean that your place of birth, nationality, citizenship, or residency you hold or have held may impact which programmes you are eligible for. For this programme, you must be able to achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and Security Check (SC) clearance. Further details are available on the government website - United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK.
Where will you be based?
Places on our Environmental Engineering programme for Autumn 2026 are available at Cavendish Nuclear and in our Marine/Nuclear sector in Bristol.
While you’ll join a specific business area and location, placements at different sites across the UK are possible. Agile working is supported, but you’ll be expected to work on-site multiple times a week. We encourage flexibility and openness to relocation throughout the programme and will consider your personal circumstances when arranging placements.
Not sure which business area to apply for? Here's a quick guide to help you decide:
* Curious about the UK's nuclear future? At Cavendish Nuclear, you’ll find diverse placement opportunities across the UK (Bristol, Warrington, Newbury, and other key sites), giving you the chance to work on projects that protect our nation, secure our energy supply, and support our journey to net zero.
* Passionate about supporting submarines? Marine/Nuclear – Bristol focuses on cutting-edge design and sustainability projects with national impact.
No matter where you start, you’ll gain valuable experience – and we’ll support you every step of the way.
Ready to apply?
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and the programme may close early if we receive a high volume of interest. To give yourself the best chance of being considered, we strongly recommend submitting your application and completing any required online assessments as soon as possible.
Explore our brochure here for more information on graduate opportunities.
How to apply
To apply for this role and to find out more, please click on the apply button. Please note that applications may close before the application deadline, so apply early to avoid disappointment.